Oliveira was credited with a submission victory, but it was aided by a clearly illegal knee to a downed opponent that referee Chip Snider either missed or ignored.

The fight was part of the preliminary card of UFC on Versus 4, which took place June 26 at Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center. The prelims streamed live on Facebook.

“After review of the tape of this contest and after consultation with the referee, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission has ruled that the results of this match will be changed to a no-contest,” a statement read.
“This change is a direct result from an accidental kick to the head by Mr. Oliveira to a grounded Mr. Lentz.”

Oliveira (14-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Lentz (21-3-2 MMA, 5-0-1) were part of a competitive bout. However, early in the second round, Oliveira blasted a kneeling Lentz with a knee to the face. The fighter’s eye socket and cheek became badly swollen and bloodied from the blow (and resulted in a lengthy medical suspension), and Oliveira tapped out a dazed Lentz soon afterward with a rear-naked choke.

Officials immediately announced the fight would be reviewed. As it turned out, the PSAC needed just a few days to overturn the victory.

The no-contest allows Lentz to avoid his first loss in the UFC and his first defeat since early 2007.

Perhaps as a consolation, he and Oliveira also were awarded the night’s $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonuses.

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